We recently had the privilege of interviewing Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Founder and CEO of Smart People, an outsourcing and offshoring consulting firm. With exceptional leadership, communication, and team management skills, Katarzyna excels in navigating complex challenges and driving results-oriented solutions. As the CEO, she brings a unique blend of strategic vision and interpersonal expertise to drive business growth and innovation.
At Smart People, they empower customers to navigate uncertain market environments, ensure business continuity and manage the risks in resources are with agility by outsourcing people and processes, seamlessly delivering back-office functions.
The Beginning of Katarzyna’s Career
We started the interview by asking, “Can you recount the journey that led to the creation of your company and the core mission that drives it?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska shared, “I began my career in 1996 as a SAP consultant, implementing SAP HCM software. I progressed to project management and team leadership roles, overseeing SAP HCM implementations. In 2007, I founded a UK-based consultancy, delivering SAP HCM solutions and AMS services in Poland. As Country Manager and Executive Vice President of Eastern Europe, I expanded our presence across other countries, eventually selling to Zalaris ASA. I led global teams supporting Scandinavian and German clients.\
Currently, I’m the Executive Officer and Founder of Smart People, helping companies manage risks in resources area, and business continuity. My expertise spans team building, resource optimization, and strategic leadership. However, my core mission is to help companies find measurable niche competencies and quality and ensure business continuity.”
Embracing Digital Transformation
We were interested to learn how Katarzyna includes the latest technological advancements in her business strategies. So, we asked, “In what ways are you integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance innovation and operational efficiency in your business?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska responded, “At this moment, I support the processes with applications that are allowing me to manage the processes better and do them more efficiently. AI and ML are transforming talent acquisition by streamlining candidate sourcing, screening, and matching. Tools like AI-powered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can analyze resumes, predict candidate success, and prioritize applicants, allowing recruiters to focus on high-potential talent more quickly and that is what we are using.
Many repetitive tasks, such as scheduling interviews, sending follow-up emails, and initial candidate outreach, are now automated using RPA. This reduces the manual workload for recruiters, allowing them to concentrate on higher-value tasks like building relationships and strategy. We also use cloud-based technology that allows for greater collaboration across teams, faster data sharing, and improved mobility.
It also ensures that all stakeholders have access to real-time recruitment data and insights, enhancing communication and decision-making. We also use video platforms and digital assessment tools, which enable recruiters to conduct interviews and assessments remotely, reducing travel costs and expediting the interview process while also reaching a global talent pool.”
Staying Ahead of The Curve
We further inquired, “How do you ensure your business strategies remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing industry landscape?”
“I regularly monitor market trends, industry shifts, and emerging technologies, which allows us to anticipate changes. Data-driven insights from industry reports, competitor analysis, and client feedback help identify shifts in demand and workforce dynamics, enabling proactive strategy adjustments. Being a business, it is crucial to have flexibility and fast reaction to changing environments, regular engagement with clients, and understanding their evolving hiring needs.
Our recruitment firm prioritizes client-centricity and continuous improvement through strategic partnerships and industry collaborations. We leverage client feedback to refine our recruitment strategies. Strategic partnerships with tech providers, industry associations, and thought leaders provide access to cutting-edge tools, expert insights, and best practices. These collaborations ensure our business remains informed about industry trends and stays innovative. Ultimately, my mission is to foster a symbiotic ecosystem where clients, partners, and stakeholders mutually support each other’s growth.” She added.
Major Mission in A Business
To learn more about the events that impact her business journey, we asked Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, “Can you share a pivotal moment in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly influenced your approach to business?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska replied, “I always take care of people and when I realized that a lot of companies’ priorities are money, revenue, income, and profit over people, I decided to change this priority for me. For me, people always come first, and then money. My mission is to show that you can do a great business by taking care of people surrounding the same.”
Fostering Personalized Development Plans
We were curious to learn how Katarzyna fosters development and constant learning among the team members. So, we inquired, “How do you cultivate an environment that encourages ongoing learning and development among your team members?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska shared, “We provide each employee with personalized development plans that align with both their career goals and the company’s objectives. Pairing team members with mentors within the organization fosters learning through guidance, advice, and support, helping employees navigate their career paths and grow. We also run Smart People Global Academy which is helping to build the competencies not only outside the market but also in the company.”
Adaptability Amidst Uncertainties
We asked, “What measures do you implement to maintain the agility and adaptability of your business in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities?”
“I’m open to exploring opportunities and fostering partnerships with technology vendors, industry associations, and educational institutions to access innovative tools, expertise, and talent pipelines. Collaborating closely with clients ensures alignment with market demands, while regular communication builds trust and enables proactive solutions.
Internally, I prioritize agility through dedicated creative problem-solving, innovation sprints, and employee-led projects. My ecosystem-focused approach is built on mutual support, encapsulated by the Polish word of help, defining my values and market strategy.” Katarzyna shared.
Worth-Sharing Moments Of Career Path
To learn more about the moments of success in Katarzyna’s career path, we inquired, “Could you shed light on a particular project or initiative that has made a substantial impact on your company’s success?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska replied, “The first project I did was establishing ROC in Poland – it was 18 years ago. I had no business experience, but Jerry Chilvers, who was the founder of ROC Group and CEO, believed in my potential and gave me the power to create what I did later. He went away already, but I am forever grateful to him.
I am also extremely grateful to the CEO of my previous company, who gave me the ability to check on how good I am at creating teams and searching for people all over the world. These moments have defined my current position and vision towards business.”
Plans We Asked Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
We were intrigued to learn more about the plans Katarzyna has set for her business. So, we asked, “What are your short-term and long-term objectives for growth and expansion, and how do you plan to achieve them?”
She mentioned, “My first plan is to connect Eastern European resources and competencies with Western Europe. Later on, I want to expand globally and help companies all over the world to help in managing resources, competencies, and skills in the best way I am capable of doing.”
Message To Aspiring Professionals
Addressing the beginners in her field, we asked, “What unique advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to carve out their path in your industry?”
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska shared, “The most important thing is: define the high goals, aim high, never give up, and remember, the sky’s the limit. When you open your head you can do whatever you want to do, that is my motto and advice to other leaders.”
Follow Katarzyna Kwiatkowska on LinkedIn.
Find Smart People on LinkedIn and visit their website http://smartpeople.com.pl/
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